Dogs have special abilities that provide companionship and loyalty that rivals humans. To be sure one is properly caring for a beloved dog, it’s important to learn as much as possible about the subject. This article is a wonderful start.
Start training your dog as soon as you bring them home. Create a vocabulary list that all your family members will use to command the dog and stick to it. Dogs can become confused if the same words are not used to give them directions. The dog will see get over here and come as two different commands.
If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.
If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.
If your dog is still getting used to the grooming process, only work with him or her in short bursts. Groom for about five minutes and then stop and move on to another activity. Eventually, start adding on two or three minutes to your total grooming time until your pet is able to handle a full session.
Avoid impersonating a medical professional when it comes to your dog’s health. In an attempt to save money, many people try to diagnose their pet’s conditions or use human treatments on various elements and that can be very dangerous to the animal. If you can’t afford full vet care, tell that to the doctor and ask their advice anyway or if they could arrange a payment plan for you.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
You shouldn’t make your dog do something it doesn’t want to do. If your dog doesn’t like a treat you give him, let it go. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.
If your vet gives you medication to take home and administer to your dog, be sure and ask for ideas on getting him to swallow it. Dogs differ in their tolerance of pills and badly-flavored liquids, so have a few tricks up your sleeve in case he resists. Getting a dog to take medicine is important, but often challenging.
Dog ownership is one of the great joys of life. Doing as much research on dog care is the best thing for a dog owner. The information above can serve as a terrific resource for years to come.
